GLUTEN-FREE FOODS AND GLUTEN INTOLERANCE

GLUTEN IS A COMPOSITE PROTEIN FOUND IN THE MATURE SEEDS OF WHEAT, BARLEY AND RYE. GLUTEN IS ADDED TO MANY DIFFERENT FOODS AND COSMETICS.  WHEN ADDED TO BAKED GOODS, IT IMPROVES THE DOUGH'S ABILITY TO RISE.  IT ALSO ADDS TO  THE PRODUCT'S CHEWINESS AND STRUCTURAL STABILITY.  IT IS OFTEN PRESENT IN BEER, SOY SAUCE, KETCHUP, ICE-CREAM, IMITATION MEATS, SALAD DRESSINGS, SEASONINGS, SAUCES, AND PET FOOD.  

GLUTEN IS NOT BAD FOR YOU AND NEED NOT BE AVOIDED UNLESS YOU DEVELOP A SENSITIVITY TO IT IN WHICH CASE, YOU WOULD NEED TO  FOLLOW A GLUTEN-FREE DIET.  SYMPTOMS OF GLUTEN INTOLERANCE INCLUDE STOMACH CRAMPS, DIARRHEA, & BLOATING.  THESE CAN BE INDICATIVE OF CELIAC DISEASE,  WHICH CAN DAMAGE THE INTESTINE.  OR IT CAN BE NON-CELIAC GLUTEN SENSITIVITY.  

GLUTEN-FREE PRODUCTS HAVE COME A LONG WAY.  THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT FOODS AVAILABLE TODAY THAT ARE GLUTEN-FREE, SUCH AS CEREALS, BAKED GOODS AND MIXES, SNACKS, SOUPS, PIZZA, PASTA, FACE CREAMS, LOTIONS, AND PET FOODS.

Almond Blueberry Peach Quinoa Crunch


Pumpkin Fig Ancient Grain Granola Cereal


Verebon Dog Biscuits


Go Picnic Hummus & Crackers


Connecticut Cottage Chicken Noodle Soup Mix


Soap Naturally Good Face Collection

ECO-FRIENDLY SHOPPING SYMBOLS

ECO-FRIENDLY IS A TERM USED TO DESCRIBE PRODUCTS THAT ARE EARTH-FRIENDLY.  IT ALSO ENCOMPASSES OTHER TERMS THAT FALL UNDER THE HEADING OF ECO-FRIENDLY, WITH EACH TERM REPRESENTING A SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF HOW THE PRODUCT WAS MADE, WHAT IT DOES AND DOES NOT CONTAIN,  AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.  

SHOPPING FOR ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS IS MADE EASIER BY THE SYMBOLS THAT REPRESENT EACH TERM, WHICH TAILORS THE PRODUCT TO YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS.  THERE CAN BE SEVERAL SPECIFICS THAT GO INTO THE MAKING OF A PRODUCT THAT BENEFITS AN INDIVIDUAL'S NEEDS.  

THE VEGAN SYMBOL IS USED TO DENOTE PRODUCTS THAT DO NOT CONTAIN ANIMAL INGREDIENTS.


RECYCLED SYMBOL INDICATES THE PRODUCT IS EITHER MADE FROM RECYCLED GOODS OR CAN BE RECYCLED AFTER USE.


FAIR TRADE LOGO IS USED TO DESCRIBE FAIR PRICES THAT ARE PAID TO PRODUCERS OF GOODS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.


CLEAN ENERGY SYMBOL DENOTES PRODUCTS MADE FROM TECHNOLOGIES THAT PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SUCH AS HYDROELECTRICITY, SOLAR, WIND, ETC.


PARABEN-FREE REFERS TO PRODUCTS THAT ARE FREE OF PARABENS WHICH ARE CHEMICALS USED AS PRESERVATIVES.


BASED ON THESE SYMBOLS AND MORE, ABE'S MARKET NOW HAS A GUIDE WITH A CHECKLIST UNDER SPECIFIC CATEGORIES THAT LETS YOU CHOOSE PRODUCTS TAILORED TO YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS, THUS MAKING YOUR ONLINE SHOPPING EASIER & QUICKER.

LAVENDER AND ITS MANY USES

 

LAVENDER (LAVANDULA), NATIVE TO THE OLD WORLD, IS A GENUS OF 39 SPECIES OF FLOWERING PLANTS IN THE MINT FAMILY. LAVENDER IS NOT ONLY CULTIVATED FOR USE AS ORNAMENTAL PLANTS, BUT ALSO FOR USE AS CULINARY HERBS AND AS AN  ESSENTIAL OIL.  

WHEN GROWN COMMERCIALLY FOR USE AS AN ESSENTIAL OIL, ITS EXTRACTS ARE USED FOR ANTISEPTIC AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PURPOSES.  BECAUSE OF ITS CALMING AND SOOTHING PROPERTIES AND FRAGRANCE, LAVENDER EXTRACTS ARE ALSO USED IN BATH PRODUCTS, BALMS, SALVES, PERFUMES, COSMETICS, AND TOPICAL AND MEDICINAL PURPOSES.  LAVENDER OIL WAS USED IN HOSPITALS DURING WWII, AND IS NOW USED EXTENSIVELY WITH HERBS AND AROMATHERAPY. 

Alchemilla Lavender Soap
 

Oregon Lavender Herbal Bath



MEDICINALLY, LAVENDER OIL HAS MANY BENEFITS, SOME OF WHICH ARE JOINT PAIN, HEADACHE, INSECT BITES, DERMATITIS AND ECZEMA.  BECAUSE OF ITS SOOTHING PROPERTIES, IT IS ALSO RECOMMENDED FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER FROM INSOMNIA.

Lavender Essential Oil



LAVENDER HAS MANY CULINARY USES.  IT IS AN IMPORTANT INGREDIENT IN HERBES de PROVENCE.  MANY RECIPES FOR SWEET FOODS INCLUDE LAVENDER, i.e., SWEET BAKED GOODS.  

Lavender Caramel Sauce


Lavender Milk Chocolate


Lavender Finishing Sugar

JANUARY SALES TO BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY

 

ONCE DECEMBER COMES TO AN END AND THE HOLIDAY DECORATIONS ARE PUT AWAY, THE COLD DAYS OF JANUARY, WHICH AT TIMES CAN BE DARK AND DREARY, TEND TO LOWER OUR SPIRITS.  JANUARY, HOWEVER, IS A GREAT MONTH TO SAVE MONEY WITH  SALES AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT STORES AND ONLINE.  I BELIEVE THE PURPOSE OF "JANUARY WHITE SALES" IS TO LIFT OUR SPIRITS AND MAKE THE SCENERY A LITTLE LESS DRAB!

THIS TRADITION WAS ACTUALLY ESTABLISHED IN 1878 BY JOHN WANAMAKER OF THE PHILADELPHIA DEPARTMENT STORE FAME.  HE REDUCED THE PRICES ON ALL THE WHITE LINENS IN HIS STORE.  BUT DURING THE 1950'S, THE TRADITION INCLUDED COLORED SHEETS AND PRINTS.

JANUARY SALES ARE ALSO A GOOD TIME TO BUY WINTER CLOTHING THAT HAS BEEN REDUCED, AND SPECIFIC HEALTH, FOOD AND BEAUTY PRODUCTS.  AT ABE'S MARKET, EFF. 1/16/13 - 1/17/13, SAVE MONEY ON HUNDREDS OF THEIR NATURAL PRODUCTS THAT ARE ON SALE, A FEW OF WHICH ARE:

3-PACK ORGANIC COTTON NO-SHOW

NATURE'S RITE SINUS RELIEF


VEGGIE LIFE HAPPY HIPS


AT HESSNATUR, YOU CAN SAVE UP TO 50% OFF, WITH FREE SHIPPING.


VIRGIN WOOL SCARF


VIRGIN WOOL KNIT HAT


ORGANIC COTTON SWEATSHIRT


THESE ARE A SAMPLING OF THE ITEMS ON SALE AT HESSNATUR.   SO SHOP TODAY FOR THESE AND SEVERAL MORE SALE ITEMS, AND GET OUT OF THE WINTER DOLDRUMS!